India says DPRK's latest nuke test 'matter of grave concern'

Posted on 09 Sep, 2016 at 09:14:PM IST

New Delhi [India], Sep. 9: Condemning Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) fifth and biggest nuclear test on Friday, India has said that it is a matter of grave concern as DPRK is once again violating international obligations.

"It is a matter of grave concern that DPRK has again acted in violation of its international obligations and in contravention of the objective of the de-nuclearisation of the Korean peninsula that the DPRK itself has endorsed," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

New Delhi also called upon the DPRK to refrain from such actions which adversely impact peace and stability in the region and beyond.

"India remains concerned about the proliferation of nuclear and missile technologies which has adversely impacted India's national security," the statement said.

DPRK's nuclear test, after which the country claimed to have the capabilities to mount a warhead on ballistic missiles, drew world-wide condemnation.

The test comes eight months after its previous such detonation, defies both tough international sanctions and long-standing diplomatic pressure to curb its nuclear ambitions.

It was immediately branded an act of "fanatic recklessness" by South Korea with Pyongyang saying it carried out in the face of growing US hostility. (ANI)